Arabic Level 1

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Respond to and produce a basic range of spoken language in very familiar contexts
• Respond to and produce simple written texts. In these, you will be able to apply your knowledge and skills of grammar and vocabulary at the A1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), and demonstrate the relevant level of intercultural awareness in your handling of everyday social interactions in Arabic and your use of language
• You will have had the opportunity to engage with a basic range of digital language learning tools to support your production

In this module, you will cover the following linguistic structures:

• Articles: definite/indefinite (0)
• Demonstratives
• Nouns and adjectives
• ‘Al-nisba’ adjectives
• Subject pronouns
• Gender and number of nouns and adjectives
• The simple nominal (descriptive) sentence
• Interrogatives (question words)
• Negation (negative particles)
• Plural patterns: masculine, feminine and ‘broken’ forms
• Colour terms: gender
• Prepositions
• Adverbs of time and frequency
• The possessive pronouns
• The possessive
• Structure
• The preposition ‘3inda’ (to have)
• The past ‘complete’ tense
• The present ‘incomplete’ tense

Topics:

• The Arabic writing system
• Family and relations
• Positions and locations
• Basic mathematics
• Quantities, sums and measurements
• Jobs, professions and workplaces
• Describing people, places and objects
• Geography of the Arab world
• Countries, nationalities and people
• The climate
• Past and present activities

In line with modern foreign languages communicative and active learning methodologies, the in-class activities will cover all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). These will include pair work and groupwork (dialogue practice, information gap exercises, discussion), individual tasks, discovery and formulation of grammatical rules, work with texts, etc. Homework and coursework tasks will give you the opportunity to revise and consolidate your knowledge and skills and to develop your awareness of how to use language-learning tools independently. Our approach not only ensures you engage with a wide range of tasks and activities, but also seeks to support different learning styles.

All pieces of coursework are marked and returned within two weeks. Marking criteria and rubrics are included as needed with each coursework to ensure learners are supported to complete their work and aware of assessment expectations. Feedback is provided for each individual section of the coursework, giving the correct answer(s) along with suggestions for improvement. In addition to the number of points out of a maximum total, an overall percentage grade is given. Generic feedback on each individual piece of coursework is also provided in class.

The module includes formative as well as summative assessment.

FORMATIVE: Homework tasks relating to grammar and syntactic knowledge and the skills of listening, reading, and/or writing are set every week on the VLE. Students are encouraged to complete the tasks to get feedback from the course teacher and familiarise themselves with the assessment expectations. Additional self-study materials and guidance are also available on the VLE to reinforce learning and allow students to develop at their own pace.

SUMMATIVE: You need to complete two pieces of coursework (set during mid-autumn term and mid-spring term); two 1-hour timed assessments (tests scheduled at the end of autumn term and at the end of spring term); and one practical, i.e. oral examination (at the end of spring term or at the beginning of the summer term). Coursework and written/oral examination all contribute to the final grade.

• Coursework (10%): Set mid-autumn term on the virtual learning environment, it consists of listening/grammar, and writing (Full task: approx. 80 words, one week to complete).
• Examination (20%): 1-hour in-class test, including reading, grammar control, and writing (approx. 150 words).
• Coursework (10%): Set mid-spring term on the virtual learning environment, it consists of an in-class listening and speaking task on Microsoft Teams (five minutes each).
• Examination (20%): 1-hour in-class test, including reading, grammar control, and writing (approx. 180 words).
• Practical (40%): Oral exam at the end of spring term (approx. 10 minutes), including self-presentation plus questions and spontaneous dialogue, done via Microsoft Teams.

• 7.5 ECTS points awarded on successful completion of the module.
• Available to take for credit towards your degree where your department allows. Also available for extra-credit.
• You must be prepared to attend all classes and and undertake approximately 3 hours of private study each week in addition to the assessment.

Coursebook: Wightwick, J and Gaafar M (2007), Mastering Arabic, Palgrave Macmillan, 3rd edition, ISBN: 9781137380456, supported by additional materials

Relevant websites:

http://www.funwitharabic.com/

http://www.arabiconline.eu/

http://www.arabicpod.net/